Collapsible shelter



1966 M. J. HOINESS ETAL 3,230,962

COLLAPS I BLE SHELTER Filed March '7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VENTORSMERL/N J HO/NESS w/Lg w? E, PETERSON 1 %M Wi ATTORNEY Jan. 25, 1966 M.J. HOINESS ETAL 3,230,962

COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER Filed March '7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm... a.

w ggmmu a wtlnmplll INVENTORS MERL /N J HO/NESS MLBU/P E. PE T51R 5 ONATTORNEYS United States Patent Minn.

Filed Mar. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 263,466 6 Claims. (Cl. 1354) This inventionrelates generally to portable enclosures and shelters, and moreparticularly it relates to a collapsi'ble shelter of the type which maybe suitably employed for the protection of ice fishermen.

While collapsible and portable shelters have previously been in use, thesame have generally not provided optimum satisfaction generally becausethe previous devices have been complicated in their construction anddesign, have been too expensive to manufacture and market, and have beencumbersome to move, transport and assemble for use.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is theprovision of a collapsible and portable shelter which is relativelyinexpensive and economical to manufacture, which is simple andconvenient in its construction and design, and which is not cumbersometo handle or erect.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of acollapsible and portable shelter which folds into a very compact packageof relatively small volume as compared to the erected size thereof.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of acollapsible shelter which when in its collapsed condition is easilyport-able since its collapsed size and shape makes the same extremelyconvenient to transport and carry by a single individual.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of acollapsible shelter which is light in weight, but is very sturdy, strongand stable when erected. H

A further object of the present invention is the provision of acollapsibleand portable shelter which may be assembled and erected withease and facility without the use of tools and by a single individual.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of aportable and collapsible shelter which may be readily assembled withoutthe use I of cumbersome poles, ropes, and other similar supportingdevices,

The above and still further objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from a consideration of the followingdetailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatelike parts or elements throughout the sev-' eral views:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective showing the shelter disclosed by thepresent invention in its collapsed condition;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective showing the shelter in.

its erected condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in perspective showing only the framestructure of the shelter in its erected position corresponding to FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the frame structure in apartially collapsed condition or position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3;FIG. 8 is an enlarged view in section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 3;and

3,230,962 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view insection taken on the line 99 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, a collapsibleand portable shelter of the type disclosed herein is shown therein inits collapsed condition and also in its completely erected condition. Itis initially noted that the portable shelter disclosed herein isextremely useful as a collapsible shelter for ice fishermen, although itwill be appreciated that the same may be also conveniently utilized forseveral other purposes, and including by way of example, the same may beused as a dressing tent for the beach or poolside, a portable toiletfacility, a blind and shelter for hunters, a house for equipment andtools, or a portable booth or stand for sales or display purposes.

The generally entire structural frame for the present invention isformed from a generally rigid tubing material, such as for example,aluminum tubing or thin wall steel conduit. The frame structure is shownparticularly in FIG. 3, and referring thereto, the same comprises agenerally rectangular annular floor frame, represented generally by thereference numeral 1. The floor frame 1 is formed from an endless orannular loop of tubing and comprises a front bar 2, a rear bar 3,andside bars 4, 5. The frame structure further comprises a generallyrectangular top frame, represented generally by the reference numeral 6,the same generally corresponding in configuration to the floor frame 1and being normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above thefloor frame 1, as shown particularly in FIG. 3. It should be noted thatthe floor frame 1 and the top frame 6 are shown in the drawings ascomprising a rectangular configuration, but it will be appreciated thatany multi-sided configuration could be satisfactorily employed withinthe scope of this invention, and it may even 'be desirable to also makethe floor frame 1 and the top frame 6 of a circular or-other arcuateconfiguration. The top frame 6 comprises a front bar 7, a rear bar 8,and side bars 9, 10. An important featureof the present inventionresides in the construction of a pair of generally similar side framesdisposed between and connecting the floor frame 1 and the top frame 6,one of said side frames being represented generally by the referencenumeral 11 and the other thereof being represented generally by thereference numeral 12. It is noted that the side frames 11, 12 are oneeach disposed generally on an opposite side, of the collapsible shelter,as shown particularly in FIG 3 of the drawings. Since the side frames11, 12 are of similar construction and design, only the side frame 11will be described with particularity hereinafter, and referring to theside frame 11, the same comprises a lower section 13 pivotally connectedto the side bar 4 of the floor frame 1 at a location generallyintermediate the front bar 2 and the rear bar 3. The lower section 13 isof a generally U-shaped configuration and therefore comprises a pair ofgenerally laterally spaced generally uprjvardllg converging legs 14, 15and an intermediate base ar Referring particularly to FIG. 5, it will benoted tha the base bar 16 of the lower side frame section 13 is deformed-to a cross-sectionally arcuate and generally downwardly concave shapeso as to define a normally downwardly exposed recess adapted to engagethe arcuate top surface of the side bar 4 of the floor frame 1. The basebar 16 is pivotally secured in engagement with the side bar 4 of thefloor frame 1 by means of a pair of longitudinally spaced clips 17 whichextend around the base bar 16 of the lowersection 13. The clips 17 haveend socket portions 18 adapted to hold the opposed longitudinal edgeflanges 19 of the base bar 16.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the upper end portions 20, 21 oftheupstanding legs 14, 15 of the lower section 13 are formed to extend ingeneral spaced parallelism with one another and are also deformed to agenerally .arcuate cross-section having generally inwardly facing andconcave recesses 22, v23 respectively. The function and purpose of therecesses 22, 23 of the upper end portions 20, 21 will be moreparticularly set forth hereinafter'in connection with the explanation ofa novellatch mechanism which is provided in accordance with .thisinvention.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the side frame section 11 further comprises anupper section 24 pivotally connected to the side bar 9 of the top frame6 and also pivotally connected to the lower section 13. The uppersection 24 comprises a pair of generally laterally spaced Igenerallydownwardly converging legs 25, 26. The legs 25, "'26 define generallyparallel relatively widely spaced upper end portions 27, 28 which arepivotally secured to the'side bar9 of the top frame'6 in a mannerparticularly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each of the generally tubular upper'endportions 27, 28 is pivotally secured to the corresponding side barof the top frame 6 by means of a coupling 29. The couplings 29 may beeasily formed from sheet material, andeach thereof comprises an uppereye portion 30 and apair of depending cross-sectionally generallyarcuate .sleeve portions 31. The sleeve portions 31 are telescopinglyreceived within the upper end portions'27,"28 of the'legs 25, 26 andsecured thereto by meansof a cross pin or rivet 32. Referring to FIG. 7,

it will be noted that the longitudinal spacing of the couplings 29 ismaintained by means of a pair of longitudinally spaced screws 33positioned in the top surface of the side bars of top frame 6.

Another important feature of the present invention is the pivotalconnection of the generally U-shaped lower portions 34 of the legs 25,26 of the upper section 24 to the corresponding upper end portions 20,21 of the legs 14,15 of the lower section 13 for inward generallylaterally directed collapsing movements between an upstandving generallystraight extended condition (shown in FIG.

3), wherein the .top frame 6 is widely spacedabovethe "floor frame 1.and a collapsed condition (represented by FIG. 1), wherein the lowerand upper side frame sections '13, 24 of both of the side frames 11, 12are draped upon one another and wherein the top frame 6 is in overlyingadjacent relation to the fioor frame 1. An intermediate .position of theside frames 11, 12 between their extended condition and their collapsedcondition is shown particularly in FIG. 4.

parallel sides 35, 36. In accordance with this invention,

latch means is provided for removably securing the lower and upper sideframe sections 13, 24 in their upstanding open condition shownparticularly in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Referring to FIG. 8, it will be,noted that said latch means comprises a pair of generally outwardlyexposed cam surfaces 37, 38' one each defined by the generally tubulargenerally parallel sides 35, 36 of the U-shaped lower portion 34 of theupper side frame section 24. The lateral spacing between the camsurfaces 37, 38 of the generally parallel sides 35, 36 correspondsgenerally to the lateral spacing between the recesses 22, 23 of theupper end portions 20, 21 of the lower side frame section .13, and thisis shown particularly in FIG. 8. The cam surfaces 37, 38 of the uppersection 24 are releasably biased into engagement with the recesses 22,23 of the lower section 13 by means of yielding means in the form of acoiled tension spring 39. The sides 35, 36 of the upper frame section 24and the upper end portions 20, 21 'of the lower frame section 13 definea plurality of generally horizontally axially aligned apertures adaptedto receive a pair of pivot-acting headed tension pins 40. As shownspecifically in FIG. 8, the opposite end portions of the tension spring39 are .hooked'into the inner end portions of the tension pins 49. Thetension pins 40 serve a dual function, the first being to carry andtransmit the tension force of the spring 39 and the second being to forma pivotal connection between the corresponding sides 35, 36 of the uppersection 24 and the upper end portions 20, 21 of the lower section 13.

With the above description of the latch means in mind, it will beobvious thatmovement of the shelter frame from the partially collapsedposition shown in FIG. 4 toward the erected condition shown in 'FIG. 3permits the cam surfaces 37, 38 of the upper section 24 to snap intoengagement with the.recesses 22,.23 of the lower frame section 13, thesame being held in this engaged and latched condition by means of thetension spring .39. However, the tension of. the spring 39 is balancedso that the latch means maybe broken by collapsing movements of the sideframes '11,"12.abo11t.'the axis .of'the pivotacting tension pins 40.

The novel shelter disclosedin accordance with this invention furthercomprises a flexible cover,.represented generally by the referencenumeral 41, the same being adapted to fit and cover the shelter framewhen the same is inits extended condition, as shown particularly in FIG.2 of the drawings. The flexible cover 41 is preferably formed from alightweight-but water resistant material, and is also preferably formedor sewninto a one-pieceunit. The flexible cover ,41 comprises a floorpanel 42 adapted to conform to the configuration of the floor frame 1, atop. panel 43 conforming to the top frame 6, opposite side panels 44,45, a rear panel, not shown, and a front panel 46 which.definesasuitableopening or door. The cover 41 may be formed withsuitable reinforcement means at the seams thereof, and it should benoted that the same should .be. formed to correspond rather snugly to.the size of the framestructure.

The collapsible shelter disclosed herein is shownin FIG. 1 in itscompletely collapsed condition, wherein the collapsed side frames.11, 12are disposed generally within the cavity defined intermediate the topframev 6 and. the floor frame 1,rand.the.rearpanel,.frontpanel 46, and

.side panels 44,.45-of thefiexiblecover 41 .are folded insteadofdisposing the cover 41 on the outsideof the frame, and. it is intendedthat .the term .cover as used herein is intended to apply to .eitherarrangement.

This invention has been. thoroughly tested andfound .-to be completely:satisfactoryifor. the accomplishment of the above objectspand-while wehave shown and described above a preferred embodiment thereof in whichthe principles .of'thepresent invention have been incorporated, we wishit to be specificallyunderstood that the same may be modified withoutdeparture from the scope and'spiritof the appendedtclaims.

What we claim is:

1. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a generally rigid multi-sided floor frame,

(b) a generally rigid multi-sided top frame normally positioned invertically spaced relation above said floor frame,

(0) a pair of generally similar side frames connecting said top frame tosaid floor frame and one each disposed generally on an opposite side ofsaid shelter, each of said side frames comprising:

(1) a lower section pivotally connected to said floor frame,

(2) an upper section pivotally connected to said op frame,

(3) said lower and upper sections being pivotallyconnected together at alocation generally intermediate the top frame and said floor frame forgeneraly laterally directed collapsing movements between an upstandinggenerally straight extended condition wherein the top frame is widelyspaced above said floor frame and a collapsed condition wherein saidupper and lower side frame sections are draped upon one another andwherein said top frame is in overlying adjacent relation to said floorframe, and

(4) latch means removably securing said upper 'and lower side framesections in their said upstanding open condition, said latch meanscomprising male and female cooperating elongated cam surfaces one ofwhich is defined by said upper section and the other of which is definedby said lower section and said cam surfaces being generallysemi-circular in cross-section and being releasably biased intoengagement with vone another, and

' (d) a flexible cover adapted to fit and cover the shelter frame whenthe same is in its extended condition. 2. A collapsible sheltercomprising:

(a) a generally rigid multi-sided generally annular 25 floor frame, a

(b) a generally rigid m-ulti-sided generally annular top frame normallypositioned in vertically spaced relation above said floor frame,

(c) a pair of generally similar side frames'connecting said top frame tosaid floor frame and one each disposed generally on an opposite side ofsaid shelter, each of said side frames comprising:

(1) a lower section pivotally connected to said floor frame, said lowersection comprising a pair of generally laterally spaced legs,

(2) an upper section pivotally connected to said top frame, said uppersection comprising a pair of generally laterally spaced legs,

(3) means pivotally connecting the legs of said lower section withcorresponding legs of said upper section at a location generallyintermediate the top frame and said floor frame for inward generallylaterally directed collapsing movements between an upstanding generallystraight extended condition wherein the top frame is widely spaced abovesaid floor frame and a collapsed condition wherein said upper and lowerside frame sections are draped upon one another and wherein said topframe is in overlying adjacent relation to said floor frame, and

(4) latch means removably securing said upper and lower side framesections in their said upstanding open condition, said latch meanscomprising male and female cooperating elongated cam surfaces one ofwhich is defined by a leg of said upper section and the other of whichis defined by a corresponding leg of said lower section and said camsurfaces being generally semicircular in cross-section and also beingreleasably biased into engagement with one another, and

(d) a flexible cover adapted to fit and cover the shelter frame when thesame is in its extended condition.

3. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a generally rigid multi-sided generally annular floor frame,

(b) a generally rigid m-ulti-sided generally annular top frame normallypositioned in vertically spaced relation above said floor frame,

(0) a pair of generally similar side frames connecting said top frame tosaid floor frame and one each disposed generally on an opposite side ofsaid shelter, each of said side frames comprising:

(1) a lower section pivotally connected to said 6 floor frame, saidlower section comprising a pair of generally laterally spaced generallyupwardly converging legs,

(2) an upper section pivotally connected to said top frame, said uppersection comprising a pair of generally laterally spaced generallydownwardly converging legs,

(3) means pivotally connecting lower end portions of said legs of theupper section to corresponding upper end portions of the legs of saidlower frame section for inward generally laterally directed collapsingmovements between an upstanding generally straight extended conditionwherein the top frame is widely spaced above said floor frame and acollapsed condition wherein said upper and lower side frame sections aredraped upon one another and wherein said top frame is in overlyingadjacent relation to said floor frame, and

(4) latch means removably securing said upper and lower side framesections in their said upstanding open condition, said latch meanscomprising male and female cooperating elongated cam surfaces one ofwhich is defined by the lower end portionof a leg of said upper sectionand the other of which is defined by an upper end portion of acorresponding leg of said lower section, said cam surfaces beinggenerally semicircular in cross-section and being releasably biased intoengagement with one another, and

(d) a flexible cover adapted to fit and cover the shelter frame when thesame is in its extended condition.

4. A collapsible shelter comprising:

(a) a multi-sided generally annular floor frame formed from generallyrigid tubing,

(b) a m-ulti-sided generally annular top frame formed from generallyrigid tubing and generally corresponding in configuration to said floorframe and normally positioned in vertically spaced relation above saidfloor frame,

(c) a pair of generally similar side frames connecting said top frame tosaid floor frame and one each disposed generally on an opposite side ofsaid shelter, each of said side frames comprising:

(1) a generally U-shaped lower section, said lower section comprising agenerally horizontal base portion pivotally connected to said floorframe and a pair of generally laterally spaced normally upstanding legswhich converge upwardly from said base portion,

(2) a generally U-shaped upper section, said upper section comprising agenerally laterally extending connecting portion and a pair of generallylaterally spaced normally upstanding legs which diverge generallyupwardly from said connecting portion and have their upper end portionspivotally connected to said top frame,

(3) means pivotally connecting lower end portions of said legs of theupper section to corresponding upper end portions of the legs of saidlower frame section for inward generally laterally directed collapsingmovements between an upstanding generally straight extended conditionwherein the top frame is widely spaced above said floor frame and acollapsed condition wherein said upper and lower side frame sections aredraped upon one another and wherein said top frame is in overlyingadjacent relation to said floor frame, and

(4) multiple latch means defined by the connected lower end portions ofsaid upper legs and the upper end portions of said lower legs andremovably securing said upper and lower side frame sections in theirsaid upstanding open condition, each of said latch means comprising maleand female cooperating elongated cam surfaces one. of --which is definedby the lower end portion of one of the legs of said upper sideframesection andthe other of which is definedby the connected upper endportion of the corresponding leg of said lower side frame section, saidcam surfaces being generally semicircular incross-section ,and saidlatch means further comprising yielding means ireleasablybiasingsaidelongated cam surfaces into engagement with; one another, and(d) a flexible cover, adapted to fit and cover the shelter frameWhenJthe-same is in its-extended.condition. 5. 'In afrarnestructureiormedrfrom generally rigid circular tubing and having a pairof elongated cooperating tube members, latch meansfor rele asablysecuring ,said cooperating tube-.membersin a position wherein their axesr-are ingener al parallelism :with one another, said latch meanscomprising an axially-(elongated male cam surface defined by oneoft-saidtubernembersan axially said tube members, pivoting meansextending through said cam surfaces pivotally connecting saidtubemembers together abouta generallydiametrically extending axis andengagement with one another and a --.second position -wher ein vsaid;tubememhersare angularly disposed with respectto one another, and meanscooperating with said 15 elongatedfemale cam surface definedb y theother of pivoting meansexerting a yielding bias on s aid tube members'ina direction ,generally coextensive with said diametric axisforreleasably holding saidmembers in their said first =.position.

6. The struotu-re definedinelaim 5 in' which said male cam surfacecomprises a generally convex a nd axially elongated generallysemkcylindrical portion of said one tube member and said female camsurfacetr -comprises a generally concave and axiallyelongatedgenerallysemicylindricaliportion of saidother tiibemember which is deformedin agenerally diametric .direction,tohe generally cross sectionallyco-arcuate with the diametrically oppo it su f ce S he tubemem ehReferences Cited by the' Examiner .UNLTED STATES PATENIS HARRISON R.MOSELEY,Primary-Examiner.

1. A COLLAPSIBLE SHELTER COMPRISING: (A) A GENERALLY RIGID MULTI-SIDED FLOOR FRAME, (B) A GENERALLY RIGID MULTI-SIDED TOP FRAME NORMALLY POSITIONED IN VERTICALLY SPACED RELATION ABOVE SAID FLOOR FRAME, (C) A PAIR OF GENERALLY SIMILAR SIDE FRAMES CONNECTING SAID TOP FRAME TO SAID FLOOR FRAME AND ONE EACH DISPOSED GENERALLY ON AN OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID SHELTER, EACH OF SAID SIDE FRAMES COMPRISING: (1) A LOWER SECTION PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FLOOR FRAME, (2) AN UPPER SECTION PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID TOP FRAME, (3) SAID LOWER AND UPPER SECTIONS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER AT A LOCATION GENERALLY INTERMEDIATE THE TOP FRAME AND SAID FLOOR FRAME FOR GENERALY LATERALLY DIRECTED COLLAPSING MOVEMENTS BETWEEN AN UPSTANDING GENERALLY STRAIGHT EXTENDED CONDITION WHEREIN THE TOP FRAME IS WIDELY SPACED ABOVE SAID FLOOR FRAME AND A COLLAPSED CONDITION WHEREIN SAID UPPER AND LOWER SAID FRAME SECTIONS ARE DRAPED UPON ONE ANOTHER AND WHEREIN SAID TOP FRAME IS IN OVERLYING ADJACENT RELATION TO SAID FLOOR FRAME, AND (4) LATCH MEANS REMOVABLY SECURING SAID UPPER AND LOWER SIDE FRAME SECTIONS IN THEIR SAID UPSTANDING OPEN CONDITION, SAID LATCH MEANS COMPRISING MALE AND FEMALE COOPERATING ELONGATED CAM SURFACES ONE OF WHICH IS DEFINED BY SAID UPPER SECTION AND THE OTHER OF WHICH IS DEFINED BY SAID LOWER SECTION AND SAID CAM SURFACES BEING GENERALLY SEMI-CIRCULAR IN CROSS-SECTION AND BEING RELEASABLY BIASED INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND (D) A FLEXIBLE COVER ADAPTED TO FIT AND COVER THE SHELTER FRAME WHEN THE SAME IS IN ITS EXTENDED CONDITION. 